Automated System for Adapting Market Data and Evaluating the Market Value of Items

ABSTRACT

An automated system for evaluating the market value of items includes invoking an evaluation service that causes a metric application to obtain a plurality of market transaction data sets responsive to attributes of at least one item identified in a product specification data set and/or a price data set. Each obtained market transaction data set is defined by at least one parameter value and represents market reference price data of a particular period of time. At least one adjustment value is calculated and applied to the market reference price data having parameter values that vary from the at least one item identified in the product specification data set, transforming the market reference price data and generating a plurality of normalized market reference price data sets. A synthetic market value is determined for the at least one item in the product specification data set and/or the price data set.

FIELD

This present disclosure generally relates to electronic commerce software applications and, more particularly, to evaluating prices and transactions for purchasing.

BACKGROUND

Commodity items such as lumber, agricultural products, metals, and livestock/meat are usually traded in the open market between a number of buyers and sellers. The sales transactions of most commodity items involve a number of parameters. For instance, in the trade of commodity lumber, a buyer usually orders materials by specifying parameters such as lumber species, grade, size (i.e., 2×4, 2×10, etc.), and length, as well as the “tally” or mix of units of various lengths within the shipment, method of transportation (i.e., rail or truck), shipping terms (i.e., FOB or delivered), and desired date of receipt, with each parameter influencing the value of the commodity purchase. Given the multiple possible combinations of factors, a commodity buyer often finds it difficult to objectively compare similar but unequal offerings among competing vendors.

For example, in a case where a lumber buyer desires to order a railcar load of spruce (SPF) 2×4's of #2 & Better grade, the buyer would query vendors offering matching species and grade carloads seeking the best match for the buyer's need or tally preference at the lowest market price. Lumber carloads are quoted at a price per thousand board feet for all material on the railcar. In a market where the shipping parameters are not identical, it is very difficult for buyers to determine the comparative value of unequal offerings.

Typically, a lumber buyer will find multiple vendors each having different offerings available. For example, a railcar of SPF 2×4's may be quoted at a rate of $300/MBF (thousand board feet) by multiple vendors. Even though the MBF price is equal, one vendor's carload may represent significantly greater marketplace value because it contains the more desirable lengths of 2×4's, such as market-preferred 16-foot 2×4's. When the offering price varies in addition to the mix of lengths, it becomes increasingly difficult to compare quotes from various vendors. Further, because construction projects often require long lead times, the lumber product may need to be priced now, but not delivered until a time in the future. Alternately, another species of lumber (i.e., southern pine) may represent an acceptable substitute.

Therefore, from the foregoing, there is a need for a method and system that allows buyers to evaluate the price of commodity offerings possessing varying shipping parameters.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure provides a system and method for managing and evaluating commodities purchasing over a network of distributed computing devices. In one embodiment, buyers generate a request for quote and, in response to the request for quote, receive a quote from a plurality of sellers. A price normalization routine allows buyers to evaluate and compare a normalized price for commodity products having different evaluation parameters. In one example, a plurality of computers are connected to a network, including at least one server, at least one buyer client computer, and a plurality of seller client computers. A method for evaluating commodities pricing first provides a browsable display describing at least one commodities exchange service. At least one request for quote (RFQ) is received from a buyer. Responsive to the RFQ, the system then receives at least one quote from different sellers, where each quote may have a different price and quantity listed. The system normalizes the prices received from the different quotes by applying a metric factor to the quote and at least one comparison value is generated. A comparison value allows the buyer to readily compare the prices of a number of commodities having inherently different values to an objective measure. In addition, the system tracks all transactional activity and provides a cross compilation tool for evaluation and analysis.

In regard to the latter, a method for evaluating commodities pricing comprises maintaining a database of commodities transactions. The database includes price data sets previously exchanged between buyer and seller agents. Data sets indicative of the market price for a specified item are retrieved from the database. In at least one embodiment, the responsive price data sets are summed to produce a summed total item selling price, and divided by the summed total number of units, to produce a reported metric of price per unit for the specified item. For purposes of generating the metric value, the responsive price data sets may be further limited to a specified period of time, one or more specific selling parameters, and statistical validation.

In at least one embodiment, the price quoted for one or more specified items in a seller's price data set is compared to the one or more responsive metric prices to generate a comparison value by item. The metric price may be generated from an internal database of commodities transactions, externally reported data, or a combination thereof. If desired, the retrieved price data sets may be limited to price data sets that resulted in a purchase of the items indicated by the price data sets.

In various embodiments, a specified item's comparison value may be represented as an index or ratio of a seller's market price divided by a responsive metric price. A comparison value may also be generated across all items in sellers price data set by calculating a ratio of the summed market price total divided by the summed metric price total.

Further, a method is provided for generating an output that reports at least one metric price per unit for the specified items to one or more recipients.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing aspects and many of the attendant advantages of the present disclosure will become more readily appreciated as the same become better understood by reference to the following detailed description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a prior art representative portion of the Internet;

FIG. 2 is a pictorial diagram of a system of devices connected to the Internet, which depict the travel route of data;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the several components of the buyer's computer shown in FIG. 2 that is used to request information on a particular route;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the several components of an information server shown in FIG. 2 that is used to supply information on a particular route;

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating the logic of a routine used by the information server to receive and process the buyer's actions;

FIGS. 6A-6B are flow diagrams illustrating another embodiment of the logic used by the information server to receive and process the quotes and quote requests of both buyers and vendors;

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram illustrating another embodiment of the logic used by the information server to execute the process of a catalog purchase;

FIGS. 8A-8D are images of windows produced by a Web browser application installed on a client computer accessing a server illustrating one embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 9 is a flow diagram illustrating one embodiment of the normalization process described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The term “Internet” refers to the collection of networks and routers that use the Internet Protocol (IP) to communicate with one another. A representative section of the Internet 100 as known in the prior art is shown in FIG. 1 in which a plurality of local area networks (LANs) 120 and a wide area network (WAN) 110 are interconnected by routers 125. The routers 125 are generally special-purpose computers used to interface one LAN or WAN to another. Communication links within the LANs may be twisted wire pair, or coaxial cable, while communication links between networks may utilize 56 Kbps analog telephone lines, or 1 Mbps digital T-1 lines, and/or 45 Mbps T-3 lines. Further, computers and other related electronic devices can be remotely connected to either the LANs 120 or the WAN 110 via a modem and temporary telephone link. Such computers and electronic devices 130 are shown in FIG. 1 as connected to one of the LANs 120 via dotted lines. It will be appreciated that the Internet comprises a vast number of such interconnected networks, computers, and routers and that only a small representative section of the Internet 100 is shown in FIG. 1.

The World Wide Web (WWW), on the other hand, is a vast collection of interconnected, electronically stored information located on servers connected throughout the Internet 100. Many companies are now providing services and access to their content over the Internet 100 using the WWW. In accordance with the present disclosure, and as shown in FIG. 2, there may be a plurality of buyers operating a plurality of client computing devices 235. FIG. 2 generally shows a system 200 of computers and devices to which an information server 230 is connected and to which the buyers' computers 235 are also connected. Also connected to the Internet 100 is a plurality of computing devices 250 associated with a plurality of sellers. The system 200 also includes a communications program, referred to as CEA, which is used on the sellers' computing devices 250 to create a communication means between the sellers' backend office software and the server applications.

The buyers of a market commodity may, through their computers 235, request information about a plurality of items or order over the Internet 100 via a Web browser installed on the buyers' computers. Responsive to such requests, the information server 230, also referred to as a server 230, may combine the first buyer's information with information from other buyers on other computing devices 235. The server 230 then transmits the combined buyer data to the respective computing devices 250 associated with the plurality of buyers. Details of this process are described in more detail below in association with FIGS. 5-7.

Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that in other embodiments of the present disclosure, the capabilities of the server 230 and/or the client computing devices 235 and 250 may all be embodied in the other configurations. Consequently, it would be appreciated that in these embodiments, the server 230 could be located on any computing device associated with the buyers' or sellers' computing devices. Additionally, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that while only four buyer computing devices 235, four seller computing devices 250, and one server 230 are depicted in FIG. 2, numerous configurations involving a vast number of buyer and seller computing devices and a plurality of servers 230, equipped with the hardware and software components described below, may be connected to the Internet 100.

FIG. 3 depicts several of the key components of the buyer's client computing device 235. As known in the art, client computing devices 235 are also referred to as “clients” or “devices,” and client computing devices 235 also include other devices such as palm computing devices, cellular telephones, or other like forms of electronics. A client computing device can also be the same computing device as the server 230. An “agent” can be a person, server, or a client computing device 235 having software configured to assist the buyer in making purchasing decisions based on one or more buyer-determined parameters. Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the buyer's computer 235 in actual practice will include many more components than those shown in FIG. 3. However, it is not necessary that all of these generally conventional components be shown in order to disclose an illustrative embodiment for practicing the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3, the buyer's computer includes a network interface 315 for connecting to the Internet 100. Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the network interface 315 includes the necessary circuitry for such a connection and is also constructed for use with the TCP/IP protocol.

The buyer's computer 235 also includes a processing unit 305, a display 310, and a memory 300, all interconnected along with the network interface 315 via a bus 360. The memory 300 generally comprises a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), and a permanent mass storage device, such as a disk drive. The memory 300 stores the program code necessary for requesting and/or depicting a desired route over the Internet 100 in accordance with the present disclosure. More specifically, the memory 300 stores a Web browser 330, such as Netscape's NAVIGATOR® or Microsoft's INTERNET EXPLORER® browsers, used in accordance with the present disclosure for depicting a desired route over the Internet 100. In addition, memory 300 also stores an operating system 320 and a communications application 325. It will be appreciated that these software components may be stored on a computer-readable medium and loaded into memory 300 of the buyers' computer 235 using a drive mechanism associated with the computer-readable medium, such as a floppy, tape, or CD-ROM drive.

As will be described in more detail below, the user interface which allows products to be ordered by the buyers are supplied by a remote server, i.e., the information server 230 located elsewhere on the Internet, as illustrated in FIG. 2. FIG. 4 depicts several of the key components of the information server 230. Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the information server 230 includes many more components than shown in FIG. 4. However, it is not necessary that all of these generally conventional components be shown in order to disclose an illustrative embodiment for practicing the present invention. As shown in FIG. 4, the information server 230 is connected to the Internet 100 via a network interface 410. Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the network interface 410 includes the necessary circuitry for connecting the information server 230 to the Internet 100, and is constructed for use with the TCP/IP protocol.

The information server 230 also includes a processing unit 415, a display 440, and a mass memory 450, all interconnected along with the network interface 410 via a bus 460. The mass memory 450 generally comprises a random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), and a permanent mass storage device, such as a hard disk drive, tape drive, optical drive, floppy disk drive, or combination thereof. The mass memory 450 stores the program code and data necessary for incident and route analysis as well as supplying the results of that analysis to consumers in accordance with the present disclosure. More specifically, the mass memory 450 stores a metrics application 425 formed in accordance with the present disclosure for managing the purchase forums of commodities products. In addition, mass memory 450 stores a database 445 of buyer information continuously logged by the information server 230 for statistical market analysis. It will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the database 445 of product and buyer information may also be stored on other servers or storage devices connected to either the information server 230 or the Internet 100. Finally, mass memory 450 stores Web server software 430 for handling requests for stored information received via the Internet 100 and the WWW, and an operating system 420. It will be appreciated that the aforementioned software components may be stored on a computer-readable medium and loaded into mass memory 450 of the information server 230 using a drive mechanism associated with the computer-readable medium, such as floppy, tape, or CD-ROM drive. In addition, the data stored in the mass memory 450 and other memory can be “exposed” to other computers or persons for purposes of communicating data. Thus, “exposing” data from a computing device could mean transmitting data to another device or person, transferring XML data packets, transferring data within the same computer, or other like forms of data communications.

In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating the logic implemented for the creation of a Request for Quote (RFQ) by a singular buyer or a pool of buyers. In process of FIG. 5, also referred to as the pooling process 500, a buyer or a pool of buyers generate an RFQ which is displayed or transmitted to a plurality of sellers. Responsive to receiving the RFQ, the sellers then send quotes to the buyers.

In summary, the creation of the RFQ consists of at least one buyer initially entering general user identification information to initiate the process. The buyer would then define a Line Item on a Web page displaying an RFQ form. The Line Item is defined per industry specification and units of product are grouped as a “tally” per industry practice. The pooling process 500 allows buyers to combine RFQ Line Items with other buyers with like needs. In one embodiment, the pool buy feature is created by a graphical user interface where the RFQ Line Items from a plurality of buyers is displayed on a Web page to one of the pool buyers, referred to as the pool administrator. The server 230 also provides a Web-based feature allowing the pool administrator to selectively add each RFQ Line Item to one combined RFQ. The combined RFQ is then sent to at least one vendor or seller. This feature provides a forum for pooling the orders of many buyers, which allows individual entities or divisions of larger companies to advantageously bid for larger orders, thus providing them with more bidding power and the possibility of gaining a lower price.

The pooling process 500 begins in step 501 where a buyer initiates the process by providing buyer purchase data. In step 501, the buyer accesses a Web page transmitted from the server 230 configured to receive the buyer purchase data, also referred to as the product specification data set or the Line Item data. One exemplary Web page for the logic of step 501 is depicted in FIG. 8A. As shown in FIG. 8A, the buyer enters the Line Item data specifications in the fields of the Web page. The Line Item data consists of lumber species and grade 803, number of pieces per unit 804, quantities of the various units comprising the preferred assortment in the tally 805A-E, delivery method 806, delivery date 807, delivery location 808, and the overall quantity 809. In one embodiment, the buyer must define the delivery date as either contemporaneous “on-or-before” delivery date or specify a delivery date in the future for a “Forward Price” RFQ. In addition, the buyer selects a metric or multiple metrics in a field 810 per RFQ Line Item (tally). As described in more detail below, the metric provides pricing data that is used as a reference point for the buyer to compare the various quotes returned from the sellers. The buyer RFQ Line Item data is then stored in the memory of the server 230.

Returning to FIG. 5, at a next step 503, the server 230 determines if the buyer is going to participate in a pool buy. In the process of decision block 503, the server 230 provides an option in a Web page that allows the buyer to post their Line Item data to a vendor or post their Line Item data to a buyer pool. The window illustrated in FIG. 8A is one exemplary Web page illustrating these options for a buyer. As shown in FIG. 8A, the links “Post Buyer Pool” 812 and “Post to Vendors” 814 are provided on the RFQ Web page.

At step 503, if the buyer does not elect to participate in a pool buy, the process continues to step 513 where the server 230 generates a request for a quote (RFQ) from the buyer's Line Item data. A detailed description of how the server 230 generates a request for a quote (RFQ) is summarized below and referred to as the purchase order process 600A depicted in FIG. 6A.

Alternatively, at decision block 503, if the buyer elects to participate in a pool buy, the process continues to step 505 where the system notifies other buyers logged into the server 230 that an RFQ is available in a pool, allowing other buyers to add additional Line Items (tallies) to the RFQ. In this part of the process, the Line Items from each buyer are received by and stored in the server memory. The Line Items provided by each buyer in the pool are received by the server 230 using the same process as described above with reference to block 501 and the Web page of FIG. 8A. All of the Line Items stored on the server 230 are then displayed to a pool administrator via a Web page or an e-mail message. In one embodiment, the pool administrator is one of the buyers in a pool where the pool administrator has the capability to select all of the Line Item data to generate a combined RFQ. The server 230 provides the pool administrator with this capability by the use of any Web-based communicative device, such as e-mail or HTML forms. As part of the process, as shown in steps 507 and 509, the pool may be left open for a predetermined period of time to allow additional buyers to add purchase data to the current RFQ.

At decision block 509, the server 230 determines if the pool administrator has closed the pool. The logic of this step 509 is executed when the server 230 receives the combined RFQ data from the pool administrator. The pool administrator can send the combined RFQ data to the server 230 via an HTML form or by other electronic messaging means such as e-mail or URL strings. Once the server 230 has determined that the pool is closed, the process continues to block 510 where the Line Items from each buyer (the combined RFQ) are sent to all of the buyers in the pool. The process then continues to step 513 where the server 230 sends the combined RFQ to the vendors or sellers.

Referring now to FIG. 6A, one embodiment of the purchase-negotiation process 600 is disclosed. The purchase-negotiation process 600 is also referred to as a solicited offer process or the market purchase process. In summary, the purchase-negotiation process 600 allows at least one buyer to submit an RFQ and then view quotes from a plurality of vendors and purchase items from selected vendor(s). The logic of FIG. 6A provides buyers with a forum that automatically manages, collects, and normalizes the price of desired commodity items. The purchase-negotiation process 600 calculates a normalized price data set that is based on a predefined metric(s). The calculation of the normalized price data set in combination with the format of the Web pages described herein create an integrated forum where quotes for a plurality of inherently dissimilar products can be easily obtained and compared.

The purchase-negotiation process 600 begins at step 601 where the RFQ, as generated by one buyer or a pool of buyers in the process depicted in FIG. 5, is sent to a plurality of computing devices 250 associated with a plurality of sellers or vendors. The vendors receive the RFQ via a Web page transmitted by the server 230. In one embodiment, the vendors receive an e-mail message having a hypertext link to the RFQ Web page to provide notice to the vendor. Responsive to the information in the buyers' RFQ, the process then continues to step 603 where at least one vendor sends their quote information to the server 230.

In the process of step 603, the vendors respond to the RFQ by sending their price quote to the server 230 for display via a Web page to the buyer or buyer pool. Generally described, the vendors send an HTML form or an e-mail message with a price and description of the order. The description of the order in the quote message contains the same order information as the RFQ.

FIG. 8B illustrates one exemplary Web page of a vendor quote that is displayed to the buyer. As shown in FIG. 8B, the vendor quote includes the vendor's price 813, the lumber species and grade 803, number of pieces per unit 804, quantities of the various units comprising the preferred assortment in the tally 805A-E, delivery method 806, delivery date 807, and delivery location 808. In the quote response message, the vendor has the capability to modify any of the information that was submitted in the RFQ. For example, the vendor may edit the quantity values for the various units comprising the preferred assortment in the tally 805A-E. This allows the vendor to adjust the buyer's request according to the vendor's inventory, best means of transportation, etc. All of the vendor's quote information is referred to as price data set or the RFQ Line Item (tally) quote.

Returning to FIG. 6A, the process continues to step 605, where the server 230 normalizes the price of each RFQ Line Item (tally) quote from each vendor. The normalization of the vendor's price is a computation that adjusts the vendor's price utilizing data from a metric. The normalization process is carried out because each vendor may respond to the Line Items of an RFQ by quoting products that are different from a buyer's RFQ and/or have a different tally configuration. The normalization of the pricing allows the buyers to objectively compare the relative value of the different products offered by the plurality of vendors. For example, one vendor may produce a quote for an RFQ of: one unit of 2×4×12, two units of 2×4×12, and three units of 2×4×16. At the same time, another vendor may submit a quote for three units of 2×4×12, one unit of 2×4×12, and two units of 2×4×16. Even though there is some difference between these two offerings, the price normalization process provides a means for the buyer to effectively compare and evaluate the different quotes even though there are variations in the products. The price normalization process 900 is described in more detail below in conjunction with the flow diagram of FIG. 9.

Returning again to FIG. 6A, at step 607 the vendor's quote information is communicated to the buyer's computer for display. As shown in FIG. 8B and described in detail above, the vendor's quote is displayed via a Web page that communicates the vendor's quote price 813 and other purchase information. In addition, the vendor's quote page contains a metric price 815 and a quote price versus metric price ratio 816. The metric price 815 and the quote price versus metric price ratio 816 are also referred to as a normalized price data value. A ratio higher than one (1) indicates a quote price that is above the metric price, and a lower ratio indicates a quote price that is below the metric price.

Next, at step 609, the buyer or the administrator of the buyer pool compares the various products and prices quoted by the vendors along with the normalized price for each Line Item on the RFQ. In this part of the process, the buyer may decide to purchase one of the products from a particular vendor and sends a notification to the selected vendor indicating the same. The buyer notifies the selected vendor by the use of an electronic means via the server 230, such as an HTML form, a chat window, e-mail, etc. For example, the quote Web page depicted in FIG. 8B shows two different quotes with two different tallies, the first quote price 813 of $360, and the second quote price 813A of $320. If the buyer determines that they prefer to purchase the materials listed in the first quote, the buyer selects the “Buy!” hyperlink 820 or 820A associated with the desired tally.

If the buyer is not satisfied with any of the listed vendor quotes, the server 230 allows the buyer to further negotiate with one or more of the vendors to obtain a new quote. This step is shown in decision block 611, where the buyer makes the determination to either accept a quoted price or proceed to step 613 where they negotiate with the vendor to obtain another quote or present a counter-offer. Here, the server 230 provides a graphical user interface configured to allow the buyer and one vendor to electronically communicate, using, e.g., a chat window, streaming voice communications, or other standard methods of communication. There are many forms of electronic communications known in the art that can be used to allow the buyer and vendors to communicate.

The buyer and seller negotiate various quotes and iterate through several steps 603-613 directed by the server 230, where each quote is normalized, compared, and further negotiated until a quote is accepted by the buyer or negotiations cease. While the buyer and seller negotiate the various quotes, the server 230 stores each quote until the two parties agree on a price. At any step during the negotiation process, the system always presents the buyer with an option to terminate the negotiation if dissatisfied with the quote(s).

At decision block 611, when a buyer agrees on a quoted price, the process then continues to step 615 where the buyer sends a notification message to the vendor indicating they have accepted a quote. As described above with reference to steps 603-613, the buyer notification message of step 615 may be in the form of a message on a chat window, e-mail, by an HTML form, or the like. However, the buyer notification must be transmitted in a format that allows the system to record the transaction. The buyer notification may include all of the information regarding the specifications by RFQ Line Item, such as, but not limited to, the buy price, date, and method of shipment, and payment terms.

The purchase-negotiation process 600 is then finalized when the system, as shown in step 617, sends a confirmation message to a tracking system. The confirmation message includes all of the information related to the agreed sales transaction.

Optionally, the process includes step 619, where the server 230 stores all of the information related to RFQ, offers, and the final sales transaction in a historical database. This would allow the server 230 to use all of the transaction information in an analysis process for providing an improved method of obtaining a lower market price in future transactions and in identifying optimum purchasing strategy. The analysis process is described in further detail below. Although the illustrated embodiment is configured to store the data related to the sales transactions, the system can also be configured to store all of the iterative quote information exchanged between the buyer and vendor.

Referring now to FIG. 6B, an embodiment of the unsolicited offer process 650 is disclosed. In summary, the unsolicited offer process 650, also referred to as the unsolicited market purchase process, allows at least one buyer to view unsolicited offers from a plurality of vendors and purchase items from a plurality of vendors from the offers. The logic of FIG. 6B provides buyers with a forum that automatically manages, collects, and normalizes price quotes based on metric data. By the price normalization method of FIG. 6B, the server 230 creates an integrated forum where offers from a plurality of inherently dissimilar products can be obtained and normalized for determination of purchase.

The unsolicited offer process 650 begins at step 651 where the plurality of vendors is able to submit offers to the server 230. This part of the process is executed in a manner similar to step 603 of FIG. 6A, where the vendor submits a quote to the server 230. However, in the Web page of step 651, the server 230 generates a Web page containing several tallies from many different vendors. In addition, at step 651, the server 230 stores all of the unsolicited offer data provided by the vendors.

Next, at step 653, a buyer views the offers stored on the server 230. This part of the process is carried out in a manner similar to the process of step 603 or 607 where the server 230 displays a plurality of offers similar to the tallies depicted in FIG. 8A.

Next, at step 655, the buyer selects a metric for the calculation of the normalized price associated with the selected offer. As described in more detail below, metrics may come from publicly available information, i.e., price of futures contracts traded on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, subscription services such as Crowes™ or Random Lengths™ accessed via the metric server adapter 435 (shown in FIG. 4), or internally generated metrics derived from the data stored in the server 230. The normalization calculation, otherwise referred to as the normalization process, occurs each time the buyer views a different offer, and the normalization calculation uses the most current metric data for each calculation. The normalization process is carried out because each vendor will most likely offer products that may vary from products of other vendors and have a different tally configuration from those supplied by other vendors. The normalization of the pricing allows the buyers to compare the relative value of the different products offered by the number of vendors. The metric price for each selected offer is displayed in a similar manner as the metric price 815 and 816 shown in the Web page of FIG. 8B.

Next, at decision block 657, the buyer selects at least one offer for purchase. This is similar to the process of FIG. 6A in that the buyer selects the “Buy!” hyperlink 820 associated with the desired tally to purchase an order. The process then continues to steps 659-663, where, at step 659, the process transmits a buy notice to the vendor, then, at step 661, sends a purchase confirmation to the tracking system, and then, at step 663, saves the transaction data in the server database. The steps 659-663 are carried out in the same manner as the steps 615-619 of FIG. 6A. In the above-described process, the buyer notification may include all of the information regarding the specifications by RFQ Line Item, and data such as, but not limited to, the buy price, date, and method of shipment, and the payment terms.

Referring now to FIG. 7, a flow diagram illustrating yet another embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. FIG. 7 illustrates the catalog purchase process 700. This embodiment allows buyers to search for a catalog price of desired commerce items, enter their purchase data based on the pre-negotiated catalog prices, and to compare those catalog prices with a selected metric price and the current market price, wherein the current market price is determined by the purchase-negotiation process 600.

The process starts at step 701 where the buyer selects a program buy catalog 443. The program buy catalog 443 provides buyers with the published or pre-negotiated price of the desired products. Next, at step 703, based on the catalog information, the buyer then enters their purchase data. Similar to step 501 of FIG. 5 and the tally shown in FIG. 8A, the buyer sends purchase data to the server 230, such as the desired quantity of each item and the lumber species, grade, etc.

The process then proceeds to decision block 707 where the buyer makes a determination of whether to purchase the items using the catalog price or purchase the desired product in the open market. Here, the server 230 allows the user to make this determination by displaying the metric price of each catalog price. This format is similar to the metric price 815 and 816 displayed in FIG. 8B.

At decision block 707, if the buyer determines that the catalog price is better than a selected metric price, the process then proceeds to steps 709, 711, and 713, where a program buy from the catalog is executed, and the buyer's purchase information is stored on the server 230 and sent to the vendor's system to confirm the sale. These steps 711-713 are carried out in the same manner as the confirmation and save steps 617 and 619 as shown in FIG. 6A.

At decision block 707, if the buyer determines that the metric price is better than the catalog price, the process continues to step 717 where the buyer's purchase data is entered into an RFQ. At this step, the process carries out the first five steps 601-609 of the method of FIG. 6A to provide buyers with the price data from the open market, as well as provide the normalized prices for each open market quote. At step 719, the server 230 then displays a Web page that allows the user to select from a purchase option of a catalog or spot (market) purchase. At decision block 721, based on the displayed information, the buyer will then have an opportunity to make a determination of whether they will proceed with a catalog purchase or an open market purchase.

At decision block 721, if the buyer proceeds with the catalog purchase, the process continues to step 709 where the catalog purchase is executed. Steps 709-713 used to carry out the catalog purchase are the same as if the buyer had selected the catalog purchase in step 707. However, if at decision block 721 the buyer selects the option to proceed with the market purchase, the process continues to step 723 where the RFQ generated in step 717 is sent to the vendor. Here, the process carries out the steps of FIG. 6 to complete the open market purchase. More specifically, the process continues to step 609 where the buyer compares the normalized prices from each vendor. Once a vendor is selected, the negotiation process of steps 603-613 is carried out until the buyer decides to execute the purchase. Next, the transaction steps 615-619 are carried out to confirm the purchase, notify the tracking system, and save the transactional data on the historical database.

Optionally, the process can include a step where the server 230 stores all of the information related to program buy and metric comparisons and the final sales transaction in a historical database. This would allow the server 230 to use all of the transaction information in an analysis process for providing an improved method of obtaining the value of the program. Although the illustrated embodiment is configured to store the data related to the sales transactions, the system can also be configured to store all of the iterative quote information exchanged between the buyer and vendor.

The analysis process allows the server 230 to utilize the sales history records stored in steps 619 and 711 to generate price reports for various third parties as well as provide a means of calculating current market prices for products sold in the above-described methods. The sales history records are also used as the source for a metric, such as those used in the process of FIGS. 6A, 6B, and 7. As shown in steps 619, 663, and 711, the server 230 continually updates the historical database for each sales transaction. The analysis reporting process allows a buyer or manager of buyers to conduct analysis on the historical information. This analysis would include multi-value cross compilation for purposes of determining purchasing strategies, buyer effectiveness, program performance, vendor performance, and measuring effectiveness of forward pricing as a risk management strategy.

Referring now to FIG. 9, a flow diagram illustrating the logic of the normalization process 900 is shown. The logic of the normalization process 900 resides on the server 230 and processes the quotes received from commodity sellers. The logic begins at step 905 where quote data is obtained from the seller in response to the buyer's RFQ as described above.

Next, at step 910, routine 900 iteratively calculates the board footage (BF) of each type of lumber. Once all the totals are calculated for each type, routine 900 continues to step 915 where the server 230 calculates the total type price.

At step 915, routine 900 iteratively calculates the total type price for the amount of each type of lumber specified in the quote. This is accomplished by taking the total board footage (BF) calculated in block 910 and multiplying the total BF by the price per MBF specified in the quote. Once all the prices are calculated for each type, routine 900 continues to step 920 where the server 230 calculates the total quoted price. At step 920, the routine 900 calculates the total price for the quote by summing all of the total type prices calculated at step 915.

At step 925, routine 900 iteratively retrieves the most current price for each type of lumber specified in the quote from a predefined metric source(s). Metrics may come from publicly available information, i.e., price of futures contracts traded on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, subscription service publications such as Crowes™ or Random Lengths™, or internally generated metrics derived from the server database. Once all the prices are retrieved for each type, at step 930, the routine 900 then iteratively calculates the market price for the quantity of each type of lumber in the quote. Once the totals for all types are calculated, routine 900 continues to step 935 where the routine 900 calculates the total market price for the quote by summing all the most current prices calculated in step 930. Although this example illustrates that steps 910-920 are executed before steps 925-935, these two groups of steps can be executed in any order, or in parallel, so long as they are both executed before a comparison step 940.

At step 940, routine 900 compares the total quoted to the metric price to arrive at a comparative value. In one exemplary embodiment of the current invention, the comparative value is a “percent of metric” value. A value higher than one hundred (100) percent indicates a price that is above the metric rate, and a lower percent indicates a price that is below the metric rate.

The operation of routine 900 can be further illustrated through an example utilizing specific exemplary data. In the example, a buyer sends out a request for a quote (RFQ) requesting a lot of 2×4 S&B lumber consisting of five units of 2″×4″×8′, two units of 2″×4″×14′, and five units of 2″×4″×16′. The buyer then receives quotes from three sellers. Seller A responds with a tally of six units of 2″×4″×8′, four units of 2″×4″×14′, and three units of 2″×4″×16′ for $287 per thousand board feet. Seller B responds with a lot of five units of 2″×4″×8′, one unit of 2″×4″×14′, and six units of 2″×4″×16′ for $283 per thousand board feet. Seller C responds with a lot of one unit of 2″×4″×8′, five units of 2″×4″×14′, and five units of 2″×4″×16′ for $282 per thousand board feet. Suppose also that the typical unit size is 294 pieces/unit, and the metric or reported market price for 2″×4″×8′ s is $287.50, for 2″×4″×14′ s is $278.50, and for 2″×4″×16′ is $288.

Viewing the MBF prices for the respective quotes is not particularly informative, given that certain lengths of lumber are more desirable and priced accordingly in the marketplace. By processing the quote from Seller A using routine 900, we arrive at a total MBF of 29.792, giving a total quoted price of $8,550.30. The selected metric price for the same types and quantities of lumber would be $8,471.12; therefore, the quoted price would have a percent of market value of 100.93%. Processing the quote from Seller B using routine 900, we arrive at a total MBF of 29.400, giving a total quoted price of $8,320.20. The selected metric price for the same types and quantities of lumber, however, would be $8,437.21; therefore, the quoted price would have a percent of market value of 98.61%. Finally, processing the quote from Seller C using routine 900, we arrive at a total MBF of 30.968, giving a total quoted price of $8,732.98. The selected metric price for the same types and quantities of lumber, however, would be $8,767.66; therefore, the quoted price would have a percent of market value of 99.38%. By looking at the percent of selected metric value, it is apparent that the price from Seller B is a better value. As shown in the methods of FIGS. 5-7, this price normalization process allows users to compare inherently different offers having different quality and quantity values.

In yet another example of an application of the normalization process, additional exemplary data is used to demonstrate the analysis of a transaction having one RFQ from a buyer and two different quotes from a seller, normalized to comparable product of another species. In this example, the buyer produces an RFQ listing the following items: one carload of Eastern SPF (ESPF) lumber having four units of 2″×4″×8′, four units of 2″×4″×10′, six units of 2″×4″×12′, two units of 2″×4″×14′, and six units of 2″×4″×16′. The vendor then responds with two different quotes with two different unit tallies and two different prices. The first response lists a quote price of $320 per thousand board feet, and a slight modification of the tally provides four units of 2″×4″×8′, four units of 2″×4″×10′, six units of 2″×4″×12′, three units of 2″×4″×14′, and five units of 2″×4″×16′. The second response quotes per the requested tally at a price of $322 per thousand board feet. Both quotes list the delivery location as “Chicago.”

To display the quotes, the server 230 produces a Web page similar to that displayed in FIG. 8C, where the vendor's modified tally is displayed in highlighted text. The buyer can then view summary metric comparison or select the hypertext link “View Calculation Detail,” which then invokes the server 230 to produce a Web page as shown in FIG. 8D. Referring now to the Web page illustrated in FIG. 8D, the data produced by server 230 compares the response to a selected metric of a different species, Western SPF (WSPF), for items of the same size, grade, and tally. The market price for the same 2×4 tally of ESPF and WSPF are thus simultaneously compared. In an example, Eastern quoted at $322 per thousand board feet, Western metric (Random Lengths™ Jun. 26, 2000 print price plus freight of $80 as defined in Metric Manager) for the same tally being $331.791. This metric comparison is also represented as Quote/Metric Value or Eastern price representing 0.970490, or 97% of comparable Western product.

In review of the normalization process, the buyer must select a metric source for price information for a defined item given a set of attributes, i.e., grade, species, and size. The metric may then be mapped to the RFQ item for comparison and does not have to be the equivalent of the item. For instance, as explained in the above-described example, it may be desirable to map the market relationship of one commodity item to another. The most current pricing data for the metric is electronically moved from the selected source to the server 230. As mentioned above, metrics may come from publicly available information, (i.e., price of futures contracts traded on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange), or subscription services, (i.e., Crowes™ or Random Lengths™ publications), or be an internal metric generated by the server 230. This metric data is used in the normalization process for all calculations, as described with reference to the above-described methods.

While various embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, it will be appreciated that within the scope of the appended claims, various changes can be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, in an agricultural commodity, an order for Wheat U.S. #2 HRW could be compared to a selected metric of Wheat U.S. #2 Soft White, similar to how different species are analyzed in the above-described example.

The above system and method can be used to purchase other commodity items, such as in the trade of livestock. In such a variation, order information such as a lumber tally would be substituted for a meat type, grade, and cut. Other examples of commodity items include agricultural products, metals, or any other items of commerce having several order parameters. 

1. In a network service provider environment that includes at least one service provider and at least one user-agent, an automated system for evaluating the market value of items, the system comprising: a service provider computing device comprising: a network interface; a memory storing computer-readable instructions; and a processor in communication with the network interface and the memory, wherein the processor is configured to execute the computer-readable instructions stored in the memory; at least one database accessible to the processor, wherein the at least one database includes previously exposed market transaction data sets; a metric manager executable by the processor, wherein the metric manager is configured to manage at least one evaluation service and a plurality of predefined instructions for adapting metric data; and a metric application in communication with the metric manager, wherein the metric application is programmed to manage communications between a user-agent computing device and the service provider computing device and to coordinate invocation of the at least one evaluation service including execution of the predefined instructions that pertain to the at least one evaluation service, wherein the metric application is further programmed to: receive, from the user-agent computing device, one or more product specification data sets, wherein each product specification data set identifies at least one item that is defined by two or more parameter values, or a plurality of items that differ in accordance with at least one parameter value; and for at least one item identified in a received product specification data set, invoke the at least one evaluation service to determine at least one synthetic market value for the item, wherein invoking the at least one evaluation service causes the metric application to: obtain, from the at least one database, a plurality of market transaction data sets responsive to attributes of the at least one item identified in the product specification data set, wherein each obtained market transaction data set is defined by at least one parameter value and represents market reference price data of a particular period of time; ascertain the parameter values for the at least one item as represented in each obtained market transaction data set, wherein at least one of the plurality of obtained market transaction data sets differs by one or more parameter values from the at least one item as identified in the product specification data set; execute the predefined instructions that pertain to the at least one evaluation service as applicable to each of the market transaction data sets, wherein responsive to the predefined instructions, at least one adjustment value is calculated and applied to the market reference price data of the market transaction data sets having parameter values that vary from the at least one item as identified in the product specification data set, transforming the market reference price data of the market transaction data sets and generating a plurality of normalized market reference price data sets responsive to the at least one item in the product specification data set; and determine at least one synthetic market value for the at least one item in the product specification data set, wherein the price data associated with the normalized market reference price data sets are input into one or more predefined algorithms associated with the at least one evaluation service to generate the at least one synthetic market value for the item, wherein when the at least one synthetic market value satisfies predefined validity criteria, the metric application is further programmed to communicate the at least one synthetic market value to at least the user-agent computing device via the network interface.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one evaluation service is predefined and stored in the memory, and invoked in response to receiving a product specification data set identifying at least one item for the evaluation service.
 3. The system of claim 2, wherein a plurality of evaluation services are predefined and stored in the memory until selectively invoked by the metric application.
 4. The system of claim 1, wherein the metric application is programmed to invoke multiple evaluation services for the product specification data set under different evaluation scenarios, wherein at least one evaluation service references an alternate item and/or parameter combination or wherein at least one evaluation service is filtered by different evaluation criteria and/or evaluation parameters, and wherein the synthetic market values for the at least one item as determined by two or more different evaluation services are compared.
 5. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one synthetic market value determined for the at least one item in the product specification data set is further compared and/or manipulated in one or more subsequent evaluation services.
 6. The system of claim 5, wherein the at least one product specification data set received from the user-agent computing device includes price data corresponding to the at least one item, and wherein at least one subsequent evaluation service causes the metric application to compare the price data of the at least one item in the product specification data set to the at least one synthetic market value determined for the at least one item, generating at least one comparison value.
 7. The system of claim 1, wherein the obtained market transaction data sets include market reference price data that was previously exposed by at least one buyer agent or at least one seller agent and stored in one or more databases accessible to the service provider computing device.
 8. The system of claim 7, wherein the market transaction data sets include market reference price data that was previously gathered in one or more databases and exposed by a third party.
 9. The system of claim 1, wherein the service provider computing device is further configured to communicate one or more visual representations of the at least one synthetic market value determined for the at least one item in the product specification data set by the at least one evaluation service.
 10. The system of claim 1, wherein the metric manager further comprises an interface that allows a user-agent computing device to predefine and add a new evaluation service or to modify a predefined evaluation service or to specify at least one additional evaluation service to be invoked when the user-agent computing device provides at least one product specification data set for the new, modified, or additional evaluation service.
 11. The system of claim 10, wherein the metric manager further comprises an interface that allows the user-agent computing device to override the at least one evaluation service and to select a data field to be added to a currently in-progress evaluation service, or to remove a data field from a currently in-progress evaluation service, thereby modifying the evaluation service, wherein the metric manager is further configured to store the modified evaluation service for re-use.
 12. The system of claim 1, further comprising associating one or more of the predefined instructions with a specific item, a specific source of market transaction data, a specific parameter, and/or a specific event.
 13. The system of claim 12, wherein the predefined instructions further associate a specific item with one or more other items, item attributes, parameters, sources of market transaction data sets, or events, and/or with one or more other predefined instructions, thereby forming a compound, grouped, or multi-variant data object.
 14. The system of claim 1, wherein the metric manager is further configured to manage predefined instructions that include one or more dynamic or conditional rules, variables, or criteria, including: one or more formulas operationally combining elements and using variables relating to a plurality of items, parameters, and/or databases; a combination of rules, variables, or criteria relating to a plurality of items, parameters, and/or databases, the application of which may be conditional, priority weighted, sequential, recursive, or another prespecified method of control; a combination of evaluation services, wherein at least one evaluation service is further combined with one or more actions, functions, subroutines, and/or other evaluation services, the execution of which may be conditional, priority weighted, sequential, recursive, or another prespecified method of control; or one or more validation rules relating to a plurality of items, parameters, databases, normalized market price data sets, and/or calculated metric values, the application of which may be conditional, priority weighted, recursive, or subject to a prespecified method of control.
 15. The system of claim 1, wherein the metric manager further comprises an interface that allows a user-agent computing device to predefine instructions for exclusive use of the user-agent computing device or to modify one or more of the predefined instructions for adapting metric data, and to store the predefined or modified instructions until executed by the metric application in response to receipt of a product specification data set from the user-agent computing device.
 16. The system of claim 15, wherein one or more of the instructions as predefined or modified by the user-agent computing device include one or more predefined methods or algorithms preassociated with a specific item, a specific source of market transaction data, a specific parameter, and/or a specific event.
 17. The system of claim 15, wherein one or more of the instructions as predefined or modified by the user-agent computing device specify obtaining metric data for an alternate item, alternate parameter, or market transaction data from an alternate source, for at least one item in the product specification data set.
 18. The system of claim 15, wherein the predefined instructions for adapting metric data apply to a plurality of users, and wherein at least one computing device is designated as an administrator for the evaluation services available to the plurality of users.
 19. The system of claim 18, wherein the at least one computing device designated as the administrator is under control of a service provider, a cooperative, an institution, an organization, or a self-affiliated pool of users.
 20. The system of claim 1, wherein the metric manager further comprises an interface that allows a user-agent computing device to predefine or preselect one or more methods or algorithms to be applied to the plurality of normalized market reference price data sets to generate the at least one synthetic market value, wherein at least one predefined or preselected method or algorithm comprises at least one replicable mathematical process for determining a mean value, a median value, or variation of a mean or median.
 21. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one evaluation service is configured to determine the at least one synthetic market value for the at least one item identified in the product specification data set by calculating a volume-weighted average using the plurality of normalized market price data sets responsive to the at least one item.
 22. The system of claim 1, wherein the metric manager further comprises an interface that allows the user-agent computing device to identify an item, predefine the item's attributes and one or more parameter values, and associate the item and/or one or more of the parameter values with one or more of the predefined instructions, wherein upon identification of the item, the metric manager automatically applies the predefined instructions that are associated with the attributes and/or parameter values of the identified item.
 23. The system of claim 22, wherein the one or more predefined instructions include a temporal function in which the at least one synthetic market value for the identified item is automatically generated at a predefined time, over a predefined interval of time, or upon an event.
 24. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more predefined instructions include one or more validation rules and/or statistical criteria for validating (1) the obtained market transaction data sets and/or the normalized market reference price data sets, and/or (2) the at least one synthetic market value determined from the normalized market reference price data sets, and wherein the at least one synthetic market value is communicated to the user-agent computing device in response to being determined valid.
 25. The system of claim 24, wherein each of the plurality of normalized market reference price data sets is determined valid and used, or is determined invalid and excluded from use before determining the at least one synthetic market value.
 26. The system of claim 24, wherein the plurality of normalized market reference price data sets are collectively validated using the validation rules and/or statistical criteria before determining the at least one synthetic market value for the at least one item in the product specification data set, wherein the validation rules and/or statistical criteria consider at least one of: total volume in units per item per period of time specified; frequency/liquidity of the market transaction data sets; concentration/fragmentation of the market transaction data sets by source of the transaction data; or concentration/fragmentation of the market transaction data sets by the type of transaction.
 27. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one parameter value or the two or more parameter values of the item or items pertain to a set of conditions associated with a grade, a rating measure, a species, an item type, a brand, a quantity, a size, a unit of measure, a tally, a location, a method of delivery, a delivery date, a time of service, a warranty, a payment term, or a transaction type.
 28. The system of claim 1, wherein the product specification data set identifies at least one item for evaluation with one or more delivery or service dates in the future.
 29. The system of claim 1, wherein in connection with ascertaining the parameter values for the at least one item as represented in each obtained market transaction data set, determining if any of the predefined instructions that pertain to the at least one evaluation service are applicable to the obtained market transaction data set.
 30. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of obtained market transaction data sets includes price data for an item that is non-fungible in that the item in the obtained market transaction data set is not a perfect substitute for the item as identified in the product specification data set, wherein execution of the one or more predefined instructions causes the at least one adjustment value to be calculated and applied to the market reference price data of the at least one market transaction data set, and wherein the resulting transformation of the market reference price data in the market transaction data set occurs independent of unit-of-measure conversion of the market reference price data.
 31. The system of claim 30, wherein the market reference price data of a plurality of market transaction data sets are transformed independent of unit-of-measure conversion of the data.
 32. The system of claim 1, wherein the metric application is further programmed to calculate and apply an adjustment value responsive to each varying parameter of at least one obtained market transaction data set having one or more varying parameter values, wherein the adjustment value minimizes a difference between the market transaction data set with the varying parameter and (1) an average of responsive market transaction data sets over the particular period of time, or (2) an average of a control group of market transaction data sets, and wherein the adjustment value is calculated using a least squares or similar curve-fit algorithm and applied to the price data of the market transaction data set.
 33. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one predefined instruction managed by the metric manager causes the metric application to determine the at least one synthetic market value based, at least in part, on a formula, rule, or correlation that is applied to market transaction price data for at least one other item, wherein the at least one other item is a different item or varies by at least one parameter value from the item as identified in the product specification data set.
 34. The system of claim 1, wherein a product specification data set identifies a plurality of items that are to be evaluated as a bundled item or wherein at least one item identified in the product specification data set is a combined item that represents a bundled product, a tally, a list, or an assembly of one or more component parts, and wherein the bundled or combined item is offered or sold for a single price, the system further comprising predefined instructions that cause the metric application to determine a synthetic market value for the bundled or combined item, wherein executing the instructions causes the metric application to: for each component of the bundled or combined item, obtain a plurality of market transaction data sets responsive to the component from the at least one database, wherein each obtained market transaction data set is defined by at least one parameter value and represents market reference price data of a particular period of time; ascertain the parameter values for the component as represented in each obtained market transaction data set, wherein at least one of the plurality of obtained market transaction data sets differs by one or more parameter values from the component of the bundled or combined item; execute the predefined instructions that pertain to the at least one evaluation service as applicable to each of the market transaction data sets, wherein responsive to the predefined instructions, at least one adjustment value is calculated and applied to the market reference price data of the market transaction data sets, transforming the market transaction price data and generating a plurality of normalized market reference price data sets responsive to the component; using the normalized market reference price data sets, determine at least one synthetic market value for the component; multiply the determined synthetic market value for each component by a quantity value for each component, thereby generating a component market value total for each component; and sum the component market value totals, thereby generating a synthetic market value for the bundled or combined item.
 35. The system of claim 34, wherein executing the instructions further causes the metric application to generate the at least one synthetic market value for the bundled or combined item under two or more evaluation services, wherein the synthetic market values determined by the two or more evaluation services are compared.
 36. The system of claim 1, wherein the metric application is further programmed to automatically query one or more databases accessible to the service provider computing device or monitor one or more data streams to obtain a market transaction data set responsive to the at least one item identified in the product specification data set and/or responsive to at least one item predefined by the user-agent computing device.
 37. The system of claim 1, wherein execution of one or more predefined instructions causes the metric application to filter the normalized market reference price data sets using one or more control values, including user-agent prespecified criteria and/or one or more parameter values, before determining the at least one synthetic market value for the at least one item in the product specification data set.
 38. The system of claim 37, wherein execution of one or more predefined instructions causes the metric application to rank or sort the normalized market reference price data sets, and determine the at least one synthetic market value using only a predefined segment or percent of the ranked or sorted normalized market reference price data sets.
 39. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one evaluation service or at least one predefined instruction limits the market transaction data sets available for processing to market reference transaction data sets exposed over a specified period of time, a current period of time, or in response to a specific event.
 40. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one evaluation service or at least one predefined instruction limits the market transaction data sets available for processing to market transaction data sets that resulted in a purchase or a contract.
 41. The system of claim 1, wherein the product specification data set includes a quantity value for the at least one item, wherein the normalized market reference price data sets comprise a comparable market value per unit for the at least one item, and wherein determining the at least one synthetic market value for the at least one item comprises multiplying the comparable market value per unit by the quantity value for the at least one item.
 42. The system of claim 1, wherein the metric application is further programmed to convert data denoted by one or more units of measure into standardized or common units of measure prior to determining the at least one synthetic market value for the at least one item, wherein the one or more predefined instructions applicable to each market transaction data set are applied to data of standard or common units of measure, and wherein after determining the at least one synthetic market value for the at least one item in the product specification data set, the metric application is further programmed to reconvert the resulting data values back to the unit of measure as specified for the at least one item in the product specification data set, and then communicate the at least one synthetic market value to the user-agent computing device.
 43. The system of claim 1, wherein one or more predefined instructions cause the metric application to consistently convert data expressed in units of measure into one of the following: standardized or common units of measure; or units of measure specified in the one or more predefined instructions; or units of measure specified for the at least one item in the product specification data set.
 44. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor of the service provider computing device is further configured to enable integrated data exchange between the metric application and at least one other application running on a user-agent computing device and/or another computing device in communication with the service provider computing device.
 45. The system of claim 1, wherein execution of one or more predefined instructions causes the metric application to automatically update the at least one synthetic market value as previously determined for the at least one item, wherein executing the instructions causes the metric application to: obtain updated market transaction data sets having more-current market reference price data responsive to the at least one item, wherein one or more of the predefined instructions cause the updated market transaction data sets to be obtained continuously, at a predefined time or interval of time, or upon occurrence of a predefined event; ascertain the parameter values for the at least one item as represented in each market transaction data set; execute the predefined instructions that pertain to the at least one evaluation service to the market transaction data sets, thereby transforming the market reference price data in the market transaction data sets and generating a plurality of more-current normalized market reference price data sets; determine at least one updated synthetic market value for the at least one item, wherein the price data associated with the more-current normalized market reference price data sets are input into one or more predefined algorithms to generate the at least one synthetic market value for the item; and communicate the updated synthetic market value to at least the user-agent computing device via the network interface.
 46. The system of claim 45, wherein determining an updated synthetic market value for the at least one item includes dynamically adding at least one additional or more-current market transaction data set, or excluding or not obtaining at least one market transaction data set that is no longer responsive to the at least one item or no longer represents market reference price data of the specified period of time, wherein specification of the period of time can include specification of an updated period of time.
 47. The system of claim 45, wherein the metric application is further programmed to update the at least one synthetic market value of the at least one item in real-time or near real-time.
 48. The system of claim 45, wherein the one or more predefined instructions include one or more validation rules and/or statistical criteria, and wherein the updated synthetic market value is communicated to the user-agent computing device in response to being determined valid.
 49. The system of claim 5, wherein at least one subsequent evaluation service is configured to compare the updated synthetic market value for the at least one item to an earlier-determined synthetic market value, a base market value, or one or more third-party reported market values for the at least one item, and communicate the comparison to the user-agent computing device.
 50. The system of claim 49, wherein the comparison includes generating a ratio or index value by dividing the updated synthetic market value for the at least one item by the earlier-determined synthetic market value, base market value, or one or more third-party reported market values.
 51. The system of claim 49, wherein the service provider computing device is further configured to communicate the comparison to the user-agent computing device for visual display in the form of a table, chart, or graph.
 52. The system of claim 51, wherein the visual display is expandable to expose calculation detail, additional linked information, or the same data presented in a different format or as determined over a different period of time.
 53. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more predefined instructions include at least one validation rule that causes the metric application to statistically validate the at least one synthetic market value by measuring a deviation of the at least one synthetic market value as determined from an earlier-determined synthetic market value or a base market value for the at least one item, wherein exceeding a predefined threshold deviation from the earlier-determined or base market value for the at least one item causes a redetermination of the synthetic market value using the same and/or at least one preselected alternate evaluation service, and/or flagging of the determined synthetic market value as falling outside the predefined threshold deviation when communicating the at least one synthetic market value to at least the user-agent computing device via the network interface.
 54. The system of claim 1, wherein the metric application is further programmed to reproduce at least one previously determined synthetic market value for the at least one item in the product specification data set, wherein the metric application replicates steps of the evaluation service using the data associated with each step and produces auditable documentation for the previously determined synthetic market value.
 55. The system of claim 5, wherein at least one subsequent evaluation service causes the metric application to generate at least one business performance measure and/or at least one financial measure in accord with the predefined instructions that pertain to the subsequent evaluation service, wherein the at least one synthetic market value determined for the at least one item in the product specification data set is a predefined data value that is automatically input into one or more predefined algorithms to generate the at least one business performance measure and/or at least one financial measure.
 56. The system of claim 1, further comprising receiving instructions from the user-agent computing device that override the at least one evaluation service, wherein the instructions are associated with the at least one item in the product specification data set, and wherein the instructions indicate selection of an alternate or additional item, an alternate or additional parameter, an alternate database or an additional data source, or an alternate or additional evaluation service for the at least one item identified in the product specification data set.
 57. The system of claim 1, wherein the metric application is further programmed to impute one or more item attributes, parameters, or associations using one or more mathematical or statistical processes applied to at least one known item attribute, parameter, or instruction previously received from the user-agent computing device.
 58. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one synthetic market value determined for the at least one item is a metric value that represents market information usable by the user-agent from whom the product specification data set was received, at least in part, to evaluate or model a bid, offer or contract, or to generate a counter-offer, negotiate or set a selling price for the at least one item.
 59. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one synthetic market value determined for the at least one item is a metric value that represents market information usable by the user-agent from whom the product specification data set was received, at least in part, to evaluate at least one buyer's purchases or at least one seller's offers in comparison to the determined synthetic market value for the at least one item, or to evaluate the results of a prenegotiated program, catalog, or contract in comparison to the determined synthetic market value for the at least one item.
 60. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one synthetic market value determined for the at least one item is a metric value that represents market information and does not represent actual price data associated with an actionable bid or offer.
 61. The system of claim 1, further comprising storing data related to the product specification data set, the obtained market transaction data sets, the at least one synthetic market value determined for each item, and/or data related to the at least one evaluation service in one or more databases accessible to the service provider computing device.
 62. The system of claim 61, wherein the memory of the service provider computing device further includes a multi-value cross-compilation tool configured to interact with the data stored in the one or more databases accessible to the service provider computing device.
 63. The system of claim 1, wherein the metric application is further programmed to expose the data in the obtained market transaction data sets and/or the at least one synthetic market value determined for the at least one item in the product specification data set to at least one tracking system.
 64. The system of claim 1, wherein the metric application is further programmed to coordinate one or more preprogrammed utilities or functions including a calculator, a unit-of-measure converter, or a load building/sizing utility, wherein specific item and/or parameter data is automatically entered into a preprogrammed utility or function to produce at least one value.
 65. The system of claim 1, wherein the metric application is programmed to coordinate invocation of subroutines of the at least one evaluation service and/or multiple evaluation services, in parallel, in combination, or sequentially.
 66. In a network service provider environment that includes at least one service provider and at least one user-agent, an automated system for evaluating the market value of items, the system comprising: a service provider computing device comprising: a network interface; a memory storing computer-readable instructions; and a processor in communication with the network interface and the memory, wherein the processor is configured to execute the computer-readable instructions stored in the memory; at least one database accessible to the processor, wherein the at least one database includes previously exposed market transaction data sets; a metric manager executable by the processor, wherein the metric manager is configured to manage at least one evaluation service and a plurality of predefined instructions for adapting metric data; and a metric application in communication with the metric manager, wherein the metric application is programmed to manage communications between a user-agent computing device and the service provider computing device and to coordinate invocation of the at least one evaluation service including execution of the predefined instructions that pertain to the at least one evaluation service, wherein the metric application is further programmed to: receive, on behalf of a user-agent, one or more price data sets, wherein each price data set includes at least one item that is defined by two or more parameter values, or a plurality of items that differ in accordance with at least one parameter value, and wherein each price data set includes price data for the at least one item representing an actionable offer; and for at least one item identified in a received price data set, invoke the at least one evaluation service to determine at least one synthetic market value for the item, wherein invoking the at least one evaluation service that causes the metric application to: obtain, from the at least one database, a plurality of market transaction data sets responsive to attributes of the at least one item identified in the price data set, wherein each obtained market transaction data set is defined by at least one parameter value and represents market reference price data of a particular period of time; ascertain the parameter values for the at least one item as represented in each obtained market transaction data set, wherein at least one of the plurality of obtained market transaction data sets differs by one or more parameter values from the at least one item as identified in the price data set; execute the predefined instructions that pertain to the at least one evaluation service as applicable to each of the market transaction data sets, wherein responsive to the predefined instructions, at least one adjustment value is calculated and applied to the market reference price data of the market transaction data sets having parameter values that vary from the at least one item as identified in the price data set, transforming the market reference price data of the market transaction data sets and generating a plurality of normalized market reference price data sets responsive to the at least one item in the price data set; determine at least one synthetic market value for the at least one item in the price data set, wherein the price data associated with the normalized market reference price data sets are input into one or more predefined algorithms associated with the at least one evaluation service to generate the at least one synthetic market value for the item; and compare the price data for the at least one item in the price data set to the at least one synthetic market value determined for the at least one item, generating at least one comparison value, wherein when the at least one synthetic market value satisfies predefined validity criteria, the metric application is further programmed to communicate the received price data set and the at least one synthetic market value determined for the at least one item in the received price data set and/or the corresponding at least one comparison value, to at least the user-agent computing device via the network interface.
 67. The system of claim 66, wherein invoking the evaluation service further causes the metric application to divide the price data for the at least one item in the price data set by the at least one synthetic market value determined for the at least one item, generating a relative value metric, represented as a ratio or index value.
 68. The system of 67, wherein the relative value metric summarily measures the multi-parameter relationship of the item price data in the at least one price data set to the synthetic market value determined for the at least one item in a single measure, wherein a relative value metric of less than one (<1.0) is indicative of a price less than the item's determined synthetic market value, and a relative value metric greater than one (>1.0) is indicative of a price higher than the item's determined synthetic market value.
 69. The system of claim 67, wherein the metric application is further configured to compare and/or rank a plurality of received price data sets by the relative value metric generated for the at least one item as represented in each price data set.
 70. The system of claim 66, wherein the metric application is further configured to compare and/or rank a plurality of received price data sets by the synthetic market value determined for the at least one item as represented in each price data set.
 71. The system of claim 66, further comprising receiving a plurality of price data sets wherein at least one item as represented in at least one price data set varies by one or more parameter values from the same item as represented in another price data set, and generating a relative value metric for the item as represented in each price data set, wherein the relative value metric for the at least one item as represented in each price data set provides an objective measure with which to compare the at least one item across a plurality of price data sets possessing unequal parameters.
 72. The system of claim 66, wherein the obtained market-reference transaction data sets includes price data previously exposed by at least one buyer agent or one seller agent and stored in one or more databases accessible to the service provider computing device.
 73. The system of claim 66, wherein at least one synthetic market value as determined for the at least one item in the price data set is further compared and/or manipulated in one or more subsequent evaluation services.
 74. The system of claim 66, wherein the at least one evaluation service is predefined and stored in the memory, and invoked in response to receiving a price data set identifying at least one item for the evaluation service.
 75. The system of claim 66, wherein the metric application is configured to execute multiple evaluation services for the price data set under varying evaluation scenarios, wherein at least one evaluation service references an alternate item and/or parameter combination or wherein at least one evaluation service is filtered by different evaluation criteria and/or evaluation parameters, and wherein the synthetic market values for the at least one item as determined by two or more different evaluation services are compared.
 76. The system of claim 66, wherein the service provider computing device is further configured to communicate one or more visual representations of the at least one synthetic market value and/or the relative value metric determined for the at least one item in one or more price data sets.
 77. The system of claim 66, further comprising associating one or more of the predefined instructions with a specific item, a specific source of market transaction data, a specific parameter, and/or a specific event.
 78. The system of claim 77, wherein the predefined instructions further associate a specific item with one or more other items, item attributes, parameters, sources of market transaction data sets, or events, and/or with one or more other predefined instructions, thereby forming a compound, grouped, or multi-variant data object.
 79. The system of claim 66, wherein the metric manager further comprises an interface that allows a user-agent computing device to predefine and add a new evaluation service or to modify or customize a predefined evaluation service or to specify at least one additional evaluation service to be invoked when the user-agent computing device provides at least one price data set for the new, modified, or additional evaluation service.
 80. The system of claim 66, wherein the metric manager is further configured to manage predefined instructions that include one or more dynamic or conditional rules, variables, or criteria, including: one or more formulas operationally combining elements and using variables relating to a plurality of items, parameters, and/or databases; a combination of rules, variables, or criteria relating to a plurality of items, parameters, and/or databases, the application of which may be conditional, priority weighted, sequential, recursive, or another prespecified method of control; a combination of evaluation services, wherein at least one evaluation service is further combined with one or more actions, functions, or subroutines, and/or with one or more other evaluation services, the execution of which may be conditional, priority weighted, sequential, recursive, or another prespecified method of control; or one or more validation rules relating to a plurality of items, parameters, databases, normalized market price data sets, and/or calculated metric values, the application of which may be conditional, priority weighted, recursive, or other prespecified method of control.
 81. The system of claim 66, wherein the metric manager further comprises an interface that allows a user-agent computing device to predefine instructions for exclusive use of the user-agent computing device or to modify one or more of the predefined instructions for adapting metric data, and to store the predefined or modified instructions until executed by the metric application in response to receipt of a price data set on behalf of the user-agent computing device.
 82. The system of claim 81, wherein one or more of the instructions as predefined or modified by the user-agent computing device include one or more predefined methods or algorithms preassociated with a specific item, a specific source of market transaction data, a specific parameter, and/or a specific event, and wherein execution of the one or more instructions causes at least one adjustment value to be applied to the price data of at least one obtained market transaction data set.
 83. The system of claim 66, wherein the metric manager further comprises an interface that allows a user-agent computing device to predefine or preselect one or more methods or algorithms to be applied to the plurality of normalized market reference price data sets to generate the at least one synthetic market value, wherein at least one predefined or preselected method or algorithm comprises at least one replicable mathematical process for determining a mean value, a median value, or variation of a mean or median.
 84. The system of claim 66, wherein the at least one evaluation service is configured to determine the at least one synthetic market value for the at least one item identified in the at least one price data set by calculating a volume-weighted average using the plurality of normalized market reference data sets responsive to the at least one item.
 85. The system of claim 66, wherein the metric manager further comprises an interface that allows the user-agent computing device to identify an item, predefine the item's attributes and one or more parameter values, and associate the item and/or one or more parameter values with one or more of the predefined instructions, wherein upon identification of the item, the metric manager automatically applies the predefined instructions that are associated with the attributes and/or parameter values of the identified item.
 86. The system of claim 85, wherein the one or more predefined instructions include a temporal function in which the at least one synthetic market value for the identified item is automatically generated at a predefined time, over a predefined interval of time, or upon an event.
 87. The system of claim 85, wherein the metric application is further programmed to automatically query one or more databases accessible to the service provider computing device or monitor one or more data streams to receive one or more price data sets responsive to the predefined item, and to automatically determine a synthetic market value for the predefined item in each received price data set, wherein the programming causes the metric application to: obtain a plurality of market transaction data sets responsive to attributes of the at least one item identified in the price data set, wherein each obtained market transaction data set is defined by at least one parameter value and represents current market reference price data; ascertain the parameter values for the at least one item as represented in each market transaction data set; execute the predefined instructions that pertain to the at least one evaluation service as applicable to each of the market transaction data sets, transforming the current market reference price data of the market transaction data sets, and generating normalized market reference price data sets; determine at least one synthetic market value for the predefined item from the normalized market reference price data sets; and compare the item price data in the one or more received price data sets to the at least one synthetic market value determined for the predefined item, generating at least one comparison value.
 88. The system of claim 66, wherein the metric application receives the one or more price data sets from the user-agent computing device.
 89. The system of claim 66, wherein the metric application further comprises an interface that allows one or more seller-agents and/or third-party intermediaries to submit or expose one or more price data sets representing actionable offers and/or one or more catalogs that include actionable item price data to the service provider computing device, and wherein the received offers and/or catalogs are stored in one or more databases accessible to the service provider computing device.
 90. The system of claim 66, wherein the metric application is further programmed to solicit at least one seller-agent for one or more price data sets for an item on behalf of the user-agent, wherein the one or more price data sets are received from at least one seller-agent computing device via the network interface, and to automatically determine at least one synthetic market value for at least one item in the one or more received price data sets, wherein the programming causes the metric application to: obtain a plurality of previously exposed market transaction data sets responsive to at least one item in the price data set; execute the predefined instructions as applicable to the plurality of market transaction data sets, transforming the price data of the market transaction data sets and generating normalized market reference price data sets; use the normalized market reference price data sets to determine at least one synthetic market value for the at least one item in the price data set; and compare the price data for the at least one item in the price data set to the synthetic market value determined for the at least one item, generating at least one comparison value.
 91. The system of claim 90, wherein the metric application is further programmed to receive an additional price data set from the seller-agent computing device via the network interface, wherein the additional price data set is received in response to a counter-offer communicated to the seller-agent computing device by the service provider computing device.
 92. The system of claim 66, wherein the at least one parameter value or the two or more parameter values of the item or items pertain to a set of conditions associated with a grade, a rating measure, a species, an item type, a brand, a quantity, a size, a unit of measure, a tally, a location, a method of delivery, a delivery date, a time of service, a warranty, a payment term, or a transaction type.
 93. The system of claim 66, wherein the price data in at least one received price data set is defined as a formula and/or is derivable from one or more prices to be determined or reported at one or more periods of time in the future.
 94. The system of claim 66, wherein execution of the one or more predefined instructions causes the adjustment value to be calculated and applied to the market reference price data of at least one market transaction data set, wherein the resulting transformation of the market reference price data in the market transaction data set occurs independent of unit-of-measure conversion of the data.
 95. The system of claim 66, wherein the metric application is further programmed to calculate and apply an adjustment value responsive to each varying parameter of at least one obtained market transaction data set having one or more varying parameter values, wherein the adjustment value minimizes a difference between the market transaction data set with the varying parameter, and (1) an average of responsive market transaction data sets over the particular period of time, or (2) an average of a control group of market transaction data sets, and wherein the adjustment value is calculated using a least squares or similar curve-fit algorithm and applied to the price data of the market transaction data set.
 96. The system of claim 66, wherein at least one predefined instruction managed by the metric manager causes the metric application to determine the at least one synthetic market value based, at least in part, on a formula, a rule, or a correlation that is applied to market transaction price data for at least one other item, wherein the at least one other item is a different item or varies by at least one parameter value from the item as identified in the price data set.
 97. The system of claim 66, wherein execution of one or more predefined instructions causes the metric application to filter the normalized market reference price data sets using one or more control values, including user-agent prespecified criteria and/or one or more parameter values, before determining the at least one synthetic market value for the at least one item in the price data set.
 98. The system of claim 66, wherein execution of one or more predefined instructions causes the metric application to rank or sort the one or more price data sets by the synthetic market value determined for the at least one item in each price data set, and to communicate only a predefined segment or percent of the ranked or sorted price data sets to the user-agent computing device via the network interface.
 99. The system of claim 66, wherein the at least one evaluation service or at least one predefined instruction limits the market transaction data sets available for processing to market reference transaction data sets exposed over a specified period of time, a current period of time, or in response to a specific event.
 100. The system of claim 66, wherein the at least one evaluation service or at least one predefined instruction limits the market transaction data sets available for processing to market transaction data sets that resulted in a purchase or a contract.
 101. The system of claim 66, wherein a price data set identifies a plurality of items that are to be evaluated as a bundled item or wherein at least one item identified in a price data set is a combined item that represents a bundled product, a tally, a list, or an assembly of one or more component parts, and wherein the bundled or combined item is offered or sold for a single price, the system further comprising predefined instructions that cause the metric application to determine a synthetic market value for the bundled or combined item, wherein executing the instructions causes the metric application to: for each component of the bundled or combined item, obtain a plurality of market transaction data sets responsive to the component from the at least one database, wherein each obtained market transaction data set is defined by at least one parameter value and represents market reference price data of a particular period of time; ascertain the parameter values for the component as represented in each obtained market transaction data set, wherein at least one of the plurality of obtained market transaction data sets differs by one or more parameter values from the component of the bundled or combined item; execute the predefined instructions that pertain to the at least one evaluation service as applicable to each of the market transaction data sets, wherein responsive to the predefined instructions, at least one adjustment value is calculated and applied to the market reference price data of the market transaction data sets, transforming the market transaction price data and generating a plurality of normalized market reference price data sets responsive to the component; using the normalized market reference price data sets, determine at least one synthetic market value for the component; multiply the determined synthetic market value for each component by a quantity value for each component, thereby generating a component market value total for each component; sum the component market value totals, thereby generating a synthetic market value for the bundled or combined item; and compare the price data for the bundled or combined item in the price data set to the synthetic market value determined for the bundled or combined item, generating at least one comparison value.
 102. The system of claim 66, wherein at least one price data set and/or at least one obtained market transaction data set includes a combined item that represents a bundled product, a tally, a list, or an assembly of one or more component parts, and wherein the combined item is offered or sold for a single combined price, the system further comprising predefined instructions that cause the metric application to disaggregate the single combined price of the combined item into a plurality of components and price data corresponding to at least one component, wherein executing the instructions causes the metric application to: for each component of the combined item, obtain a plurality of market transaction data sets responsive to the component from the at least one database, wherein each obtained market transaction data set is defined by at least one parameter value and represents market reference price data of a particular period of time; ascertain the parameter values for the component as represented in each obtained market transaction data set, wherein at least one of the plurality of obtained market transaction data sets differs by one or more parameter values from the component of the combined item; execute the predefined instructions that pertain to the at least one evaluation service as applicable to each of the market transaction data sets, wherein responsive to the predefined instructions, at least one adjustment value is calculated and applied to the market reference price data of the market transaction data sets, transforming the market transaction price data and generating a plurality of normalized market reference price data sets responsive to the component; using the normalized market reference price data sets, determine at least one synthetic market value for the component; multiply the determined synthetic market value for each component by a quantity value for each component, thereby generating a market value total for each component; and sum the component market value totals, thereby generating a synthetic market value total for the combined item; then generate a proportional value for at least one component of the combined item by dividing the synthetic market value determined for each component by the synthetic market value total for the combined item, producing a ratio or percent of the total market value for each component; and calculate the price data associated with the at least one component by multiplying the single price quoted for the combined item by the proportional value generated for the at least one component.
 103. The system of claim 102, wherein the metric application is further programmed to compare the price data calculated for the at least one component to the synthetic market value as determined for the component.
 104. The system of claim 102, wherein invocation of at least one subsequent evaluation service causes the metric application to divide the price data calculated for the at least one component by the synthetic market value determined for the at least one component in the price data set to generate a relative value metric, and wherein when two or more price data sets having different evaluation parameters are received, comparing the component across the plurality of differing price data sets by the relative value metric generated for the component in each price data set.
 105. The system of claim 66, wherein the price data set includes a quantity value for the at least one item, wherein the normalized market reference price data sets comprise a comparable market value per unit for the at least one item, and wherein determining at least one synthetic market value for the at least one item comprises multiplying the comparable market value per unit by the quantity value for the at least one item.
 106. The system of claim 66, wherein one or more predefined instructions cause the metric application to consistently convert data expressed in units of measure into one of the following: standardized or common units of measure; or units of measure specified in the one or more predefined instructions; or units of measure specified for the at least one item in the product specification data set.
 107. The system of claim 66, wherein the processor of the service provider computing device is further configured to enable integrated data exchange between the metric application and at least one other application running on a user-agent computing device and/or another computing device in communication with the service provider computing device.
 108. The system of claim 66, wherein the metric application is further programmed to automatically query one or more databases accessible to the service provider computing device or monitor one or more data streams to obtain a market transaction data set responsive to the at least one item identified in at least one price data set and/or responsive to at least one item predefined by the user-agent computing device.
 109. The system of claim 66, wherein the one or more predefined instructions include one or more validation rules and/or statistical criteria for validating (1) the obtained market transaction data sets and/or the normalized market reference price data sets, and/or (2) the at least one synthetic market value determined from the normalized market reference price data sets, and wherein the at least one synthetic market value is communicated to the user-agent computing device in response to being determined valid.
 110. The system of claim 109, wherein each of the plurality of normalized market reference price data sets is determined valid and used, or is determined invalid and excluded from use before determining the at least one synthetic market value.
 111. The system of claim 109, wherein the plurality of normalized market reference price data sets are collectively validated using the validation rules and/or statistical criteria before determining the at least one synthetic market value for the at least one item in the price data set, wherein the validation rules and/or statistical criteria consider at least one of: total volume in units per item per period of time specified; frequency/liquidity of the market transaction data sets; concentration/fragmentation of the market transaction data sets by source of the transaction data; or concentration/fragmentation of the market transaction data sets by the type of transaction.
 112. The system of claim 109, wherein the one or more predefined instructions include at least one validation rule that causes the metric application to statistically validate the at least one synthetic market value by measuring a deviation of the at least one synthetic market value as determined from an earlier-determined synthetic market value or a base market value for the at least one item, wherein exceeding a predefined threshold deviation from the earlier-determined or base market value for the at least one item causes a redetermination of the synthetic market value using the same and/or at least one preselected alternate evaluation service, and/or flagging of the determined synthetic market value as falling outside the predefined threshold deviation when communicating the at least one synthetic market value to at least the user-agent computing device via the network interface.
 113. The system of claim 73, wherein at least one subsequent evaluation service causes the metric application to generate at least one business performance measure and/or at least one financial measure in accord with the predefined instructions that pertain to the subsequent evaluation service, wherein the at least one synthetic market value determined for the at least one item in the price data set is a predefined data value that is automatically input into one or more predefined algorithms to generate the at least one business performance measure and/or at least one financial measure.
 114. The system of claim 92, wherein the at least one parameter value or the two or more parameter values of the item or items further comprise a financial delivery.
 115. The system of claim 66, wherein execution of one or more predefined instructions causes the metric application to automatically update the at least one synthetic market value as previously determined for the at least one item, wherein executing the instructions causes the metric application to: obtain updated market transaction data sets having more-current market reference price data responsive to the at least one item, wherein one or more of the predefined instructions cause the updated market transaction data sets to be obtained continuously, at a predefined time or interval of time, or upon occurrence of a predefined event; ascertain the parameter values for the at least one item as represented in each market transaction data set; execute the predefined instructions that pertain to the at least one evaluation service to the market transaction data sets, thereby transforming the market reference price data in the market transaction data sets and generating more-current normalized market reference price data sets; determine at least one updated synthetic market value for the at least one item using the more-current normalized market reference price data sets; and communicate the at least one updated synthetic market value to at least the user-agent computing device via the network interface.
 116. The system of claim 115, wherein determining an updated synthetic market value for the at least one item includes dynamically adding at least one additional or more-current market transaction data set, or excluding or not obtaining at least one market transaction data set that is no longer responsive to the at least one item or no longer represents market reference price data of the specified period of time, wherein specification of the period of time can include specification of an updated period of time.
 117. The system of claim 115, wherein the metric application is further programmed to update the at least one synthetic market value of the at least one item in real-time or near real-time.
 118. The system of claim 115, wherein the price data for the at least one item in the at least one price data set is compared to the at least one updated synthetic market value determined for the at least one item.
 119. The system of claim 67, further comprising calculating an updated relative value metric for the at least one item in the at least one price data set by dividing the price data for the item in the price data set by the updated synthetic market value determined for the at least one item.
 120. The system of claim 114, wherein invoking a subsequent evaluation service causes the metric application to compare the updated synthetic market value for the at least one item to an earlier-determined synthetic market value for the at least one item, a base market value, or one or more third-party reported market values for the item, and communicate the comparison to the user-agent computing device.
 121. The system of claim 120, wherein the service provider computing device is configured to communicate the comparison to the user-agent computing device for visual display in the form of a table, chart, or graph, and wherein the visual display is expandable to expose calculation detail, additional linked information, or the same data presented in a different format.
 122. The system of claim 66, wherein the metric application is further programmed to impute one or more item attributes, parameters, or associations using one or more mathematical or statistical processes applied to at least one known item attribute, parameter, or instruction previously received from the user-agent computing device.
 123. The system of claim 66, wherein instructions predefined by the user-agent computing device cause the metric application to: obtain a plurality of previously exposed market transaction data sets representing market reference price data for an alternate item, wherein the alternate item is a substitute item or an item with at least one differing parameter value from that of the at least one item in the price data set; ascertain the parameter values for the at least one item as represented in each market transaction data set; execute the predefined instructions that pertain to the at least one evaluation service, transforming the market reference price data in the market transaction data sets and generating a plurality of normalized market reference price data sets; and using the normalized market price data for the alternate item, determine at least one synthetic market value for the alternate item for comparison to the market value calculated for the at least one item in the price data set.
 124. The system of claim 67, wherein, subject to user-agent predefined instructions, the service provider computing device is further enabled to automatically transmit on behalf of the user-agent a purchase notice to at least one user-agent providing the price data set with a lowest relative value metric for the at least one item in the price data set.
 125. The system of claim 124, wherein, subject to instructions predefined by the user-agent computing device, the service provider computing device is further configured to automatically transmit the purchase notice via integrated data exchange to user-agent back-office or accounting system.
 126. The system of claim 66, wherein the metric application is further programmed to expose the one or more received price data sets, and/or obtained market transaction data sets, and/or the at least one synthetic market value determined for the at least one item and/or data related to one or more purchases by the user-agent computing device to at least one tracking system.
 127. The system of claim 66, wherein the metric application is further programmed to coordinate execution of subroutines of the at least one evaluation service and/or multiple evaluation services, in parallel, in combination, or sequentially.
 128. In a network service provider environment that includes at least one service provider and at least one user-agent, an automated system for evaluating the market value of items, the system comprising: a service provider computing device comprising: a network interface; a memory storing computer-readable instructions; and a processor in communication with the network interface and the memory, wherein the processor is configured to execute the computer-readable instructions stored in the memory; at least one database accessible to the processor, wherein the at least one database includes previously exposed market transaction data sets; a metric manager executable by the processor, wherein the metric manager is configured to manage at least one evaluation service and a plurality of predefined instructions for adapting metric data; and a metric application in communication with the metric manager, wherein the metric application is programmed to manage communications between a user-agent computing device and the service provider computing device and to coordinate invocation of the at least one evaluation service including execution of the predefined instructions that pertain to the at least one evaluation service, wherein the metric application is further programmed to: receive, from the user-agent computing device, one or more product specification data sets, wherein each product specification data set includes at least one item that is defined by two or more parameter values, or a plurality of items that differ in accordance with at least one parameter value; receive, on behalf of the user-agent, one or more actionable price data sets responsive to one or more of the items in the product specification data sets, wherein each price data set includes price data for the one or more items and is further defined by at least one parameter value; and for at least one item identified in the at least one product specification data set and represented in at least one responsive price data set, invoke the at least one evaluation service to determine at least one synthetic market value for the item, wherein invoking the at least one evaluation service causes the metric application to: obtain, from the at least one database, a plurality of market transaction data sets responsive to attributes of the at least one item identified in the product specification data set, wherein each obtained market transaction data set is defined by at least one parameter value and represents market reference price data of a particular period of time, and wherein at least one of the plurality of obtained market transaction data sets differs by one or more parameter values from the at least one item as identified in the product specification data set or as represented in another obtained market transaction data set; ascertain the parameter values for the at least one item as represented in each obtained market transaction data set, wherein at least one of the plurality of obtained market transaction data sets differs by one or more parameter values from the at least one item as identified in the product specification data set; execute the predefined instructions that pertain to the at least one evaluation service as applicable to each of the market transaction data sets, wherein responsive to the predefined instructions, at least one adjustment value is calculated and applied to the market reference price data of the market transaction data sets having parameter values that vary from the at least one item as identified in the product specification data set, transforming the market reference price data of the market transaction data sets and generating a plurality of normalized market reference price data sets responsive to the at least one item in the product specification data set; and determine at least one synthetic market value for the at least one item in the product specification data set, wherein the price data associated with the normalized market reference price data sets are input into one or more predefined algorithms associated with the at least one evaluation service to generate the at least one synthetic market value for the item, and wherein the metric application is further programmed to: for at least one item identified in the at least one product specification data set and represented in at least one responsive price data set, invoke the at least one evaluation service to determine at least one synthetic market value for the item, wherein invoking the at least one evaluation service causes the metric application to: obtain, from the at least one database, a plurality of market transaction data sets responsive to attributes of the at least one item identified in the price data set, wherein each obtained market transaction data set is defined by at least one parameter value and represents market reference price data of a particular period of time; ascertain the parameter values for the at least one item as represented in each obtained market transaction data set, wherein at least one of the plurality of obtained market transaction data sets differs by one or more parameter values from the at least one item as identified in the price data set; execute the predefined instructions that pertain to the at least one evaluation service as applicable to each of the market transaction data sets, wherein responsive to the predefined instructions, at least one adjustment value is calculated and applied to the market reference price data of the market transaction data sets having parameter values that vary from the at least one item as identified in the price data set, transforming the market reference price data of the market transaction data sets and generating a plurality of normalized market reference price data sets responsive to the at least one item in the price data set; and determine at least one synthetic market value for the at least one item in the price data set, wherein the price data associated with the normalized market reference price data sets are input into one or more predefined algorithms associated with the at least one evaluation service to generate the at least one synthetic market value for the item, wherein the metric application is programmed further to determine one or more comparison values, wherein the programming causes the metric application to: compare the synthetic market value determined for at least one item in the at least one product specification data set with the synthetic market value determined for the corresponding item in at least one price data set; and/or compare the synthetic market value determined for at least one item in the product specification data set with the price data corresponding to the at least one item in at least one price data set; and/or compare the synthetic market value determined for the at least one item in at least one price data set with the price data corresponding to the at least one item in the price data set, and wherein the service provider computing device is further configured to: communicate the one or more comparison values via the network interface to at least the user-agent computing device.
 129. The system of claim 128, further comprising comparing two or more received price data sets, wherein said comparing includes ranking and/or grouping the two or more price data sets by the synthetic market value determined for the at least one item in each price data set.
 130. The system of claim 128, wherein the product specification data set and the at least one price data set include a quantity value for the at least one item, wherein the normalized market reference price data sets comprise a comparable market value per unit for the at least one item, and wherein determining at least one synthetic market value for the at least one item comprises multiplying the comparable market value per unit by the quantity value for the at least one item.
 131. The system of claim 128, wherein at least one subsequent evaluation service causes the metric application to divide the price data for the at least one item in the at least one price data set by the at least one synthetic market value determined for the at least one item, generating a relative value metric, represented as a ratio or index value.
 132. The system of claim 128, wherein at least one subsequent evaluation service causes the metric application to divide the synthetic market value determined for the at least one item in the at least one price data set by the at least one synthetic market value determined for the at least one item in the product specification data set, generating a ratio or index value.
 133. The system of claim 128, wherein at least one subsequent evaluation service causes the metric application to divide the price data for the at least one item in the at least one price data set by the at least one synthetic market value determined for the at least one item in the product specification data set, generating a ratio or index value.
 134. The system of claim 131, further comprising comparing two or more received price data sets, wherein said comparing includes ranking and/or grouping the two or more price data sets by the relative value metric generated for the at least one item as represented in each price data set.
 135. The system of claim 134, wherein the at least one item as represented in at least one price data set varies by one or more parameter values from the same item as represented in another price data set, and wherein the relative value metric for the at least one item as represented in each price data set provides an objective measure with which to compare and the at least one item across the plurality of price data sets possessing unequal parameters.
 136. The system of claim 128, wherein the at least one synthetic market value determined for the at least one item in the product specification data set and/or in at least one price data set is further compared and/or manipulated in one or more subsequent evaluation services.
 137. The system of claim 128, wherein the at least one evaluation service is predefined and stored in the memory, and invoked in response to receiving a product specification data set identifying at least one item for the evaluation service.
 138. The system of claim 128, wherein the service provider computing device is further configured to communicate one or more visual representations of the one or more comparison values, wherein the one or more visual representations are expandable to expose additional detail or linked information, or the same evaluation service presented in a different format or as determined over a different period of time.
 139. The system of claim 128, further comprising associating one or more of the predefined instructions with a specific item, a specific source of market transaction data, a specific parameter, and/or a specific event.
 140. The system of claim 128, wherein the metric manager further comprises an interface that allows a user-agent computing device to predefine and add a new evaluation service or to modify a predefined evaluation service or to specify at least one additional evaluation service to be invoked when the user-agent computing device provides at least one product specification data set for the new, modified, or additional evaluation service.
 141. The system of claim 128, wherein the metric manager is further configured to manage one or more dynamic or conditional rules, variables, or criteria, including: one or more formulas operationally combining elements and using variables relating to a plurality of items, parameters, and/or databases; a combination of rules, variables, or criteria relating to a plurality of items, parameters, and/or databases, the application of which may be conditional, priority weighted, sequential, recursive, or another prespecified method of control; a combination of evaluation services, wherein at least one evaluation service is further combined with one or more actions, functions, or subroutines, and/or with one or more other evaluation services, the execution of which may be conditional, priority weighted, sequential, recursive, or another prespecified method of control; or one or more validation rules relating to a plurality of items, parameters, databases, normalized market price data sets, and/or calculated metric values, the application of which may be conditional, priority weighted, recursive, or other prespecified method of control.
 142. The system of claim 128, wherein the metric manager further comprises an interface that allows a user-agent computing device to predefine instructions for exclusive use of the user-agent computing device or to modify one or more of the predefined instructions for adapting metric data, and to store the predefined or modified instructions until executed by the metric application in response to receipt of a product specification data set from the user-agent computing device.
 143. The system of claim 128, wherein the metric manager further comprises an interface that allows a user-agent computing device to identify or preselect one or more methods or algorithms to be applied to the plurality of normalized market reference price data sets to generate the at least one synthetic market value, wherein at least one identified or preselected method or algorithm comprises at least one replicable mathematical process for determining a mean value, a median value, or variation of a mean or median.
 144. The system of claim 128, wherein the metric manager further comprises an interface that allows the user-agent computing device to identify an item, predefine the item's attributes and one or more parameter values, and associate the item and/or one or more of the parameter values with one or more of the predefined instructions, wherein upon identification of the item, the metric manager automatically applies the predefined instructions that are associated with the attributes and/or parameter values of the identified item.
 145. The system of claim 128, wherein the obtained market reference transaction data sets includes price data previously exposed by at least one buyer agent or seller agent and stored in one or more databases accessible to the service provider computing device.
 146. The system of claim 128, wherein the metric application is further programmed to automatically query one or more databases accessible to the service provider computing device or monitor one or more data streams to obtain a market transaction data set responsive to the at least one item identified in the product specification data set and/or responsive to at least one item predefined by the user-agent computing device and/or responsive to at least one item in the at least one received price data set.
 147. The system of claim 128, wherein the metric application is further programmed to calculate and apply an adjustment value responsive to each varying parameter of at least one obtained market transaction data set having one or more varying parameter values, wherein the adjustment value minimizes a difference between the market transaction data set with the varying parameter and (1) an average of responsive market transaction data sets over the particular period of time, or (2) an average of a control group of market transaction data sets, and wherein the adjustment value is calculated using a least squares or similar curve-fit algorithm and applied to the price data of the market transaction data set.
 148. The system of claim 128, wherein at least one predefined instruction managed by the metric manager causes the metric application to determine the at least one synthetic market value based, at least in part, on a formula, rule, or correlation that is applied to market transaction price data for at least one other item, wherein the at least one other item is a different item or varies by at least one parameter value from the item as identified in the product specification data set or at least one price data set.
 149. The system of claim 128, wherein the one or more predefined instructions include one or more validation rules and/or statistical criteria for validating (1) the obtained market transaction data sets and/or the normalized market reference price data sets, and/or (2) the at least one synthetic market value determined from the normalized market reference price data sets, and wherein the at least one synthetic market value is communicated to the user-agent computing device in response to being determined valid.
 150. The system of claim 128, wherein execution of one or more predefined instructions causes the metric application to automatically update the at least one synthetic market value as previously determined for the at least one item, wherein executing the instructions causes the metric application to: obtain updated market transaction data sets having more-current market reference price data responsive to the at least one item, wherein one or more of the predefined instructions cause the updated market transaction data sets to be obtained continuously, at a predefined time or interval of time, or upon occurrence of a predefined event; ascertain the parameter values for the at least one item as represented in each market transaction data set; execute the predefined instructions that pertain to the at least one evaluation service to the market transaction data sets, thereby transforming the market reference price data in the market transaction data sets and generating a plurality of more-current normalized market reference price data sets responsive to the at least one item; and determine at least one updated synthetic market value for the at least one item, wherein the price data associated with the more-current normalized market reference price data sets are input into one or more predefined algorithms to generate the at least one updated synthetic market value for the item.
 151. The system of claim 150, wherein determining an updated synthetic market value for the at least one item includes dynamically adding at least one additional or more-current market transaction data set, or excluding or not obtaining at least one market transaction data set that is no longer responsive to the at least one item or no longer represents market reference price data of the specified period of time, wherein specification of the period of time can include specification of an updated period of time.
 152. The system of claim 150, wherein the metric application is further configured to regenerate at least one comparison value using the at least one updated synthetic market value.
 153. The system of claim 150, wherein the one or more predefined instructions include one or more validation rules and/or statistical criteria, and when the updated synthetic market value satisfies the validity criteria, the metric application is further programmed to communicate the at least one updated synthetic value to the user-agent computing device via the network interface.
 154. The system of claim 128, wherein the one or more predefined instructions include at least one validation rule that causes the metric application to statistically validate the at least one synthetic market value by measuring a deviation of the at least one synthetic market value as determined from an earlier-determined synthetic market value or a base market value for the at least one item, wherein exceeding a predefined threshold deviation from the earlier-determined or base market value for the at least one item causes a redetermination of the synthetic market value using the same and/or at least one preselected alternate evaluation service, and/or flagging of the determined synthetic market value as falling outside the predefined threshold deviation when communicating the at least one synthetic market value to at least the user-agent computing device via the network interface.
 155. The system of claim 128, wherein execution of one or more predefined instructions causes the metric application to filter the normalized market reference price data sets using one or more control values, including user-agent prespecified criteria and/or one or more parameter values, before determining the at least one synthetic market value for the at least one item in the product specification data set.
 156. The system of claim 128, wherein the metric application is further enabled to expose the obtained transaction data, the received price data and/or the synthetic market value for the at least one item in the product specification data set and/or the price data set to at least one tracking system.
 157. The system of claim 128, wherein the metric application is programmed to coordinate invocation of subroutines of the at least one evaluation service and/or multiple evaluation services, in parallel, in combination, or sequentially.
 158. The system of claim 128, wherein, subject to instructions predefined by the user-agent computing device, the service provider computing device is further configured to automatically transmit on behalf of the user-agent a purchase notice to at least one seller-agent from whom a price data set was received.
 159. The system of claim 158, wherein, subject to instructions predefined by the user-agent computing device, the service provider computing device is further enabled to automatically transmit a purchase notice to user-agent back-office or accounting system via integrated data exchange.
 160. The system of claim 1, wherein the market reference price data is limited to electronically created data resulting from a computer-based interaction.
 161. The system of claim 160, wherein the market reference price data further does not include human-reported transaction data or transaction data manually transcribed into a digital format.
 162. The system of claim 9, wherein at least one visual representation is expandable in which details of the obtained market transaction data sets and/or linked information related to the at least one item is exposed, or wherein the at least one synthetic market value for the at least one item is presented in a different format or as determined over a different period of time.
 163. The system of claim 32, wherein at least one varying parameter of at least one market transaction data set pertains to location, and the applied adjustment value for the varying location parameter is not determined by calculating a point-to-point cost of freight to transport the item from the location identified in the market transaction data set to the location identified in the product specification data set.
 164. The system of claim 67, wherein one or more predefined instructions cause the metric application to trigger an alert to be communicated to one or more outputs in response to the relative value metric reaching a predefined trigger value above or below the synthetic market value determined for the at least one item.
 165. The system of claim 66, wherein the market reference price data is limited to electronically created data resulting from a computer-based interaction.
 166. The system of claim 165, wherein the market reference price data further does not include human-reported transaction data or transaction data manually transcribed into a digital format.
 167. The system of claim 76, wherein at least one visual representation is configured to be expandable in which details of the obtained market reference transaction data and/or linked information related to the at least one item is exposed, or wherein the at least one synthetic market value and/or the relative value metric for the at least one item is presented in a different format, or as determined over a different period of time.
 168. The system of claim 95 wherein at least one varying parameter of at least one market transaction data set pertains to location, and the applied adjustment value for the varying location parameter is not determined by calculating a point-to-point cost of freight to transport the item from the location identified in the market transaction data set to the location identified in the price data set.
 169. The system of claim 115, wherein the metric application is configured to automatically update the price data in at least one received price data set using the updated synthetic market value determined for the at least one item, wherein the price data in the price data set was predefined as a formula and/or specified to be derived from a synthetic market value, and wherein the updated synthetic market value is to be determined continuously, at a predefined time or interval of time, or upon occurrence of a predefined event.
 170. The system of claim 128, wherein the price data is limited to electronically created data resulting from a computer-based interaction.
 171. The system of claim 170, wherein the price data further does not include human-reported transaction data or transaction data manually transcribed into a digital format. 